The average American spends 36 years in bed, from catching z’s to binging their favorite TV shows.
This means finding a comfortable mattress is paramount as it promotes good back health and better sleep.
If you’re overwhelmed by the different types of mattresses and don’t know how to find the best one for you, you’ve come to the right place.
1. Consider How Old Your Mattress Is
Before we jump into how to pick a mattress, it’s important to consider your current one.
As a general rule, you should replace your mattress every eight years. It’s time to upgrade if you’re restless, waking up in pain, and not sleeping through the night.
If you experience any of these for an extended period, it’s time to buy a new mattress.
2. Decide on a Budget
To help you find the best type of mattress for your needs, outline a realistic budget.
Nowadays, mattress companies are producing high-quality products at affordable prices. It’s important to note that price doesn’t always reflect quality, but try starting at $1,000 as it gives you a wide range of options.
Avoid spending less than $500, especially if it’s for a queen-size mattress. This means it’s cheap quality and less durable than other options.
If you’re looking for a good night’s sleep, consider Helix mattresses as they produce high-quality products.
3. Know the Different Types of Mattresses
“What is the best mattress to buy?” You might ask.
To figure out how to choose a mattress, it’s important to consider the types of mattresses. For instance, memory foam offers fantastic support, pressure relief, and body contouring.
Latex foam is known for its cooling properties and offers more bounce. This is great for if you want memory foam features but without the body-hugging properties.
Coils are one of the most popular types of mattresses. These have layers of spring coils to offer comfort, so the more there are then the more comfortable the mattress is.
Adjustable beds are another option. These let you change your sleeping position either by lifting the feet or inclining the back. Luxurious models even have features like vibrate, heat, or massage.
If you can’t decide, then choose a hybrid mattress as they’re a combination of foam and coils. As a result, sleepers can enjoy a fantastic bounce, support, comfort, and cooling, perfect for a majority of customers.
You can also choose a pillow-top cover, perfect for all categories. These work thanks to the layer of soft material sewn onto the cover.
4. Read Customer Reviews
If you’re left wondering, “what mattress is best for me?”, then read customer feedback as they offer an unbiased opinion.
You can also post on social media and ask for recommendations. Add important details like your health condition or whether you have specific requirements regarding a mattress.
5. Find Your Ideal Firmness
Firmness refers to how hard or soft a mattress feels. It’s wise to check the mattress in-person as the definition of firmness is subjective.
Out of ten, the average preferred firmness level is between four to seven. If you fall outside this category, you may need to consider more bespoke models.
6. Consider Your Sleep Position
Sleep positions are often overlooked when choosing a mattress even though they have an ideal firmness.
For example, side-sleepers often rotate their legs, so they need a mattress with soft to medium-level firmness to relieve pressure points on the neck and back.
If you sleep on your back, you need a firmness level between four to seven because an unsupportive mattress results in long-term back problems.
Stomach-sleepers need supportive mattresses as their torso applies most of the pressure to the bed. You need one that equally supports the entire body because if the middle section sinks, you’ll get a curving of the spine, which can cause life-long issues.
You need a firmness between five to seven, so you stay in complete alignment when you sleep.
7. Avoid Gimmicky Claims
Many retailers promise “orthopedic” or “medically-approved” products, but there are no medical organizations that officially certify mattresses.
So if you see any of these, it’s a red flag. If they’re sold on a third-party website, then consider reporting them so the site owners can investigate the product.
8. Find Generous Trial Periods and Return Policies
A reputable mattress company offers a trial period and promises free returns within a certain time if there are any issues.
Before making the purchase, read the fine print to understand the terms and conditions. If you have any queries, ask the company’s customer service and they should let you know.
9. Check the Warranty
You should also check that the mattress has a warranty in case it breaks or is defective. Most companies offer a ten-year full replacement warranty. If they don’t provide one, find a company that does.
It’s important to note you should get a waterproof mattress protector. This is because mattress stains will void your warranty, so don’t take the risk.
10. Consider Your Weight
Weight affects how much you sink, the feel, and the support of each mattress. For instance, those who weigh less don’t sink as deep, so look for a medium firmness.
Heavier sleepers will want a higher comfort layer to ensure consistent support and comfort.
These Are the Best Types of Mattresses
Now you know the best types of mattresses and how to find the perfect model for you.
Consider your weight, how you sleep, and your ideal firmness. Before making the purchase, read customer reviews, check the warranty, and ensure they have return policies. Happy shopping!
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